Manufacturing Engineering, Fluid Systems

Manufacturing Engineer, Fluid Systems Vast is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer, Fluid Systems, to help develop the systems behind our human-rated space stations. You'll use your engineering knowledge and creativity to design, build, and test novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach, CA location. Responsibilities: - Conceptualize, develop, and manufacture innovative tube-bending and welding cells to meet the demanding requirements of the Haven-1 program - Lead first-build and test efforts, including design integration, assembly sequencing, mBOM development, work order creation, and specification authoring - Create and maintain detailed manufacturing plans, assembly procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent, accurate production of all tubing systems - Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges through root-cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions - Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and drive efficient human-spaceflight production within aggressive timelines - Collaborate closely with design engineers, integration engineers, production teams, and external vendors to execute builds expediently and efficiently - Develop efficient, capability-driven tooling solutions that streamline production, increase system output, and reduce operational burden - Partner with quality assurance teams to establish and maintain rigorous quality control processes - Establish and maintain standard practices, troubleshooting guides, and standardized repair procedures; review and approve all related planning documents - Support day-to-day production of bent tubes, orbital tube welding (OTW), and manually welded tubing, ensuring optimal efficiency and adherence to quality standards - Evaluate and challenge existing production and design requirements for tubing assemblies, using data-driven insights to eliminate waste and optimize the manufacturing process - Continuously streamline and improve production systems by proactively identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall product quality Minimum Qualifications: - B.S. in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing or electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field - 2 + years of manufacturing experience managing a product/product line across multiple work centers and/or departments, fluid, pressurized, propulsion, or environmental control hardware in design, manufacturing, or test - 2-4+ years of experience for Manufacturing Engineer II - 4-6+ years of experience for Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Hands-on fabrication, assembly, and/or integration experience; CAD proficiency (NX preferred) - Experience with CAD tools (e.g., Siemens NX) and the ability to review designs, generate manufacturing documentation, and design assembly or test tooling Preferred Skills & Experience: - Hands-on experience building or testing hardware, in industry or through student teams such as Formula SAE, rocketry, CubeSat, or robotics - Experience with aerospace, spacecraft, propulsion, or other safety-critical or high-reliability hardware - Experience taking designs or processes from concept through build or test, and from R&D to production - Familiarity with CAD tools, ideally Siemens NX, and PLM tools such as Teamcenter - Exposure to thermal or structural analysis using Ansys, or similar tools - Awareness of aerospace workmanship, design, and environmental test standards such as IPC, SMC-S-016, NASA-STD-5001, or MIL-STD-810 - Proficiency applying GD&T - Strong problem-solving skills, including troubleshooting and structured root cause analysis - Strong attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to work well in cross-functional teams - Senior Level: experience mentoring engineers or technicians and managing multiple projects at once Additional Requirements: - Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones Pay Ranges: - Engineer/ Level I: $86,100.00 - $122,220.00 - Engineer/ Level II: $112,340.00 - $159,468.00 - Senior Engineer/ Level III: $137,760.00 - $195,552.00 We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.